Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 55, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 October 1911 — J. RUFUS WALLINGFORD [ARTICLE]

J. RUFUS WALLINGFORD

Alias Eugene Purtelle, Wants Protection From Rensselaer Newspapers. Eugene sometimes called Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford, because of his abundance of nerve and lack of ducats, evidently to try a new bluff on the people, posted up type-writ-ten proclamations Wednesday afternoon, stating that he w-as about to resume construction operations on his “road” in Marion tp., and Rensselaer “with the understanding that the citizens of Rensselaer will protect us from any further attacks in either the Rensselaer Republican or Jasper 'County Democrat.” Then follows a lot of hot air about the newspaper reports here having “queered” his corporation and hampered the “construction” work hei;e. He particularly wants the merchants—those cashing his worthless checks, no doubt, being especially invited —to see “that our work will not be made more 'difficult than is necessaryin this township.” The bluff is no doubt intended to influence sentiment favorable to the subsidy elections being held today and try- to convince people that the newspaper statements concerning him and his work were “wanton and unmerited,” as he charges in his proclamation. The fact is that Purtelle has no one to blame but himself for what has been said about him and his methods, and it is, we hope, due to the exposures o* this apparent swindler that no more victims have been found in Rensselaer and vicinity. The Republican is now echoing what The Democrat said weeks ago, that “Purtelle should be sat down on effectually, once and for all.”